Essays vs Lyrical Ballads: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: English poetry, Criticism and interpretation, History and criticism, Poetry

Cover of Essays

Essays Matthew Arnold · 1865 ★★★★☆ 3.9 380 pages · ≈ 7 h 02 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

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Cover of Lyrical Ballads

Lyrical Ballads William Wordsworth · 1798 ★★★★☆ 3.9 210 pages · ≈ 3 h 53 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.9 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
Lyrical Ballads is the quicker read — about 3 hours vs 7 for Essays.

Side by side